Early years: fostering equality and respect from the start

Karla McGrady is a Gamilaraay/Kamilaroi woman residing on the lands of the Yuggera and Turrbal people in Magandjin/Brisbane.

Karla has been with Our Watch for the last 8 years. During that time she co-authored Changing the Picture: A national resource to support the prevention of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children.  In recent years, Karla has led a team of 6 to deliver on major primary prevention projects across the country in specific settings. These projects have contributed to organisational strategy and practice frameworks focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and engaging with community organisations to better understand primary prevention and gender equality. 

Proud Anmatyerre and Arrernte woman Shirleen Campbell is a fifth-generation resident of Alice Springs Town Camp, Lhenpe Artnwe – or Hoppy's Camp.

Shirleen is the co-ordinator of The Tangentyere Women's Family Safety Group (TWFSG), which gives women in the camp a voice and action against family and domestic violence by taking a strengths based approach. After a violent attack on an Aboriginal woman at the Todd River was ignored by local press, Shirleen and TWFSG led a 300-strong, anti-violence march through the streets of Alice Springs. Shirleen and other members of TWFSG were then invited to Canberra. With care and humility, Shirleen drew attention to the women her community loved and mourned who'd been impacted by violence – and showed that women are a large part of the solution. Shirleen has been selected as an NT Local Hero 2020 in the Australian of the Year Awards.

Kowana is a proud Dharawal, Gumbaynggirr, and Gamilaroi woman with deep roots in her communities.

As a mother of 5 and a victim-survivor of domestic violence, Kowana has faced and overcome significant challenges. Her experiences fuel her advocacy and work today, amplifying the voices and needs of First Nations women.

Kowana is a co-founder of Breaking Silent Codes, serves on the Board of Fullstop Australia, and is part of Domestic Violence NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee. Kowana is deeply passionate about gender justice and ensuring that First Nations women and girls have the resources, support, and protection they deserve. Her professional background in early childhood education has also been instrumental in her approach to primary prevention. Kowana is the senior project officer of the All In Program, a whole-of-service program that equips early childhood educators, leaders, centre directors and families with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to actively challenge rigid, harmful gender roles and stereotypes.

Kowana’s work is a testament to her resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to empowering and advocating for her community and others.

Alistair has over 13 years’ experience in the early childhood sector. He has worked as an educator, a kindergarten teacher and an educational leader and is currently working as an early learning manager within a not for profit, for purpose organisation. Alistair sits on the National Board for Early Childhood Australia as a Director and is also a Board Member for Social Justice in Early Childhood. Alistair is committed to being an advocate and supporting educators, children and families in their capabilities, knowledge and rights which have seen him critically reflect on program and practices, challenging how we approach anti-bias themes such as gender equity within early childhood.

Diletta is passionate about advancing gender equity and challenging gender stereotypes in the early childhood education and care sector.

She currently works as an early childhood manager at Cire. Cire has actively participated in a range of initiatives focusing on gender equity including the No Limitations professional development program for educators and the You Can’t Be What You Can’t See project, which broadens children's views of who they can be by diversifying the roles and representations they encounter.

Diletta strongly believes educators can be agents of change through their daily interactions, thoughtful language and intentional teaching strategies to influence how children understand gender, equality and fairness – not only in the classroom, but in the wider world.

Marisa has led the Larapinta Child and Family Centre in Mparntwe/Alice Springs for nearly 10 years.  

Marisa is passionate about the power of early childhood to create lasting change. She is committed to preventing gender-based violence by starting early – challenging harmful gender stereotypes and promoting respectful relationships through early education. Larapinta Child and Family Centre was a key partner in the Girls Can Boys Can research project and the development of the Educators Kit, in collaboration with Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group.

Marisa leads with a strong focus on child development, anti-racism and cultural safety. She believes everyone has a role in creating communities that better support families to raise strong and confident children.